Rosa plant named ‘GRAppl’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct floribunda type  Rosa  hybrid named ‘GRAppl’ is disclosed, characterized by complete resistance to  Diplocarpon rosae  and strong tolerance for powdery mildew. Plants produce dark red-purple flowers with a strong fragrance and are typically dense and twiggy, reaching a height of between 1 to 1.2 meters. The new cultivar is a  Rosa  typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Rosa hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘GRAppl’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the result of a planned breeder program, conducted by the inventors, John Gray and Sylvia Gray, citizens of Australia. The new variety resulted from the crossing of a proprietary, unpatented, unnamed seedling with the pollen parent Rosa ‘GRAsuper’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,175. The crossing was made Dec. 12, 2011. The discovery was made Mar. 12, 2012.

After selecting the new cultivar, asexual reproduction of ‘GRAppl’ was first performed in the same commercial nursery by vegetative cuttings Mar. 30, 2012. ‘GRAppl’ has since produced two generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘GRAppl’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘GRAppl’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘GRAppl’ as a new and distinct Rosa hybrid cultivar:

-   -   1. Complete resistance to the fungus Diplocarpon rosae.     -   2. Strong perfume scent to flowers.     -   3. Plant height to 1.2 meters with 1 meter width.     -   4. Above average plant vigor.     -   5. Fully double, dark red-purple flower color.     -   6. Strong resistance to powdery mildew.     -   7. Green foliage with distinctive bluish tinge.     -   8. Twiggy, shrubby growth habit.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAppl’ are similar to the unnamed seed parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, ‘GRAppl’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Parent variety flower color is pink, whereas the new variety         has red-purple flowers.     -   2. Flowers of the new variety are larger with more petals.     -   3. Foliage of the new variety is larger than the seed parent.     -   4. Flowers of the new variety are more fragrant.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAppl’ are similar to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, ‘GRAppl’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. New variety has a more rounded petal shape.     -   2. Plants of the new variety are denser, with more twiggy growth         and more foliage.     -   3. Flowers of the new variety are a darker red-purple, with more         purple coloration than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Of the many Rose varieties commercially available, plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAppl’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Rosa hybrid ‘Delviola’. ‘GRAppl’ differs from ‘Delviola’ in the following:

-   -   1. New variety has a deeper purple flower color.     -   2. Plants of the new variety are denser, with more twiggy growth         and more foliage.     -   3. Plants of the new variety grow in a more upright habit.     -   4. Plants of the new variety are completely resistance to         blackspot.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAppl’ can be compared to the commercial variety Rosa hybrid ‘Mackati’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,698. ‘GRAppl’ differs from ‘Mackati’ in the following:

-   -   1. New variety has a deeper purple flower color.     -   2. Plants of the new variety are denser, with more twiggy growth         and more foliage.     -   3. Plants of the new variety grow in a more upright habit.     -   4. Plants of the new variety are completely resistance to         blackspot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical flower of ‘GRAppl’ grown outdoors in Highfields Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘GRAppl’ grown outdoors in Highfields Australia. The plant is approximately 12 months old.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 1995, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘GRAppl’ plants grown in Clyde, Victoria, Australia, described during the Fall. Plants were grown in 20 cm containers in a soilless pine bark media, inside an open polythene covered greenhouse, with 70% shade. Ventilation was very good, plant nutrition was by liquid feed from a hydroponic solution designed for roses as required, generally every 1-2 days. The growing temperature ranged from 8° C. to 14° C. at night to 18° C. to 23° C. during the day. From the initial eye, the first generation was cut 10-20 cm. The second generation was allowed to flower with the lateral shoots (third generation) being left to flower from which the observations were made. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Rosa hybrid ‘GRAppl’. -   Age of the plant described: Approximately 6 months. -   Container size of the plant described: 20 cm commercial container.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical method: Vegetative cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots: About 13 days at approximately 21° C.     (rootzone) and 18° C. (average ambient). -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 25 days at approximately     21° C. (rootzone) & 18° C. (average ambient). -   Root description: Well branched, fibrous with many root hairs     extending from lesser roots in a feather like arrangement. White     coloration, not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright to semi-weeping. -   Age of plant described: 6 months. -   In a container or in the ground: Container. -   Height: 85 cm. -   Plant spread: 50 cm. -   Rootstock: Own Roots. -   Branching characteristics: Numerous irregular branching from mature     stems from bud eyes towards the apex of each shoot. -   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 40-60 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.5 tapering to 0.3 cm. -   Quantity of lateral branches: Numerous. -   Branching arrangement: Irregular. -   Branches-young wood:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth with some prickle hairs ranging from nil to             medium density per branch.         -   Approximately density/quantity of thorns.—Moderate.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137B. -   Branches-old wood:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm after 1 year.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Approximately density/quantity of thorns.—Medium density.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143D. -   Thorn description:     -   -   Average height.—6 mm.         -   Average length.—10 mm.         -   Shape.—Slight concave angling downward.         -   Color.—Immature: near RHS Greyed-Red 178A. Mature: near RHS             Gren 143A, flushed Greyed-Red 178A.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, compound.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 7 per main branch.         -   Average length.—Approximately 13.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 8.5 cm. -   Leaflets:     -   -   Shape of blade.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Rounded to cordate.         -   Margin.—Serrated.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Course with small thornlike             projections along veins.         -   Average length.—Approximately 5.5 cm. (terminal leaflet).         -   Average width.—Approximately 4 cm. (terminal leaflet).         -   Leaf internode length.—1.5 to 3 cm.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B with some crimson             anthocyanin coloration, closest to Red-Purple 59A. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage             under side: Near RHS Green 138B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near             Green 138A. Venation color under side: Near Green 138D.         -   Rachis.—Average length between the terminal and the             secondary leaflet pairs 17 mm. Rachis colored near RHS Green             137D.         -   Petiole.—Length: 1 to 2.5 cm. Width: 1 cm at widest part.             Color: Near Green 137C. Texture: Mainly smooth with some             prickle hairs. Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Initial             part of petiole (first 1 cm) is 0.4 cm wide with two side             extensions (opposite) running horizontal and ending in             acuminate apices measuring 1 cm apart from apex to apex.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Nearly continuous flowering from October     to June in the Southern Hemisphere. -   Begins flowering after how many years/months: 6-8 weeks for the stem     to grow and mature. Flowering occurs after stem matures. First     flowers 6-8 weeks from cutting/budded eye to break. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Irregular whorled, double. -   Rate of flower opening: Approximately 10 days from bud to fully     opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: 9 days, after fully opened. -   Inflorescence size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 10 cm.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.6 cm. (Flower height) with flat             lower profile, flattened convex upper profile. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal arrangement.—Loose, irregular whorl.         -   Size.—Length: 5 cm. Width: 4.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Medium reflexing on outer petals.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Petal quantity.—22.         -   Texture.—Soft, velvety. -   Color:     -   -   Petals.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple             67A. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 66A. Fully opened:             Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 74A. Lower surface: Near             RHS Red-Purple 74C. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 60A. -   Sepals:     -   -   Length.—2.8 cm.         -   Width.—1.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Weak sepal extensions with 2-3 lateral extensions and             single non-feathering apex.         -   Color.—Interior Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.             Exterior Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.         -   Texture.—Soft, slightly felt-like. -   Receptacle:     -   -   Length.—0.6 cm.         -   Width.—0.6 cm.         -   Shape.—Pitcher shaped.         -   Color.—Green, not accurately measured by R.H.S. chart. -   Fragrance: Strong, citrus-like scent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 100.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 65A. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—0.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Narrow ovate.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 18B.         -   Pollen.—Color: Yellow-Orange 18B. Quantity: Abundant. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 30.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.4 cm. Color: Near RHS             Red-Purple 60A.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 18B.             Ovary Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed at the time of description. -   Disease/pest resistance: Excellent tolerance to fungal diseases, and     complete resistance to Diploecarpon rosae. As typical of many Rosa     hybrid varieties, flowers are susceptible to Botrytis at the end of     the season. Typically average resistance to normal pests of Rosa     hybrid garden plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Very good heat tolerance. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rosa hybrid plant named ‘GRAppl’ as herein illustrated and described. 